j----_. - New York Civil Liberties Union

Mahopac 326
· 35. Are peciple at increased risk for AIDS because they live in certain
geographic areas (such as San Francisco or New York City)?
People are only at risk for AIDS if they engage in high risk activities
- sexual contact involving blood -to-blood or semen-to-blood exchange, or
sharing drug injection equipment.
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36. Is AIDS spreading in prisons?
A number of prisoners have developed AIDS, but there is no apparent
spread of the disease within the prison system. Nearly all prisoners with
AIDS had engaged in risk behavior, usually IV drug abuse, prior to entering
prison.
37. Are health care workers or other occupational groups at special risk
for AIDS?
Safety protocols have been developed for health care workers and other
occupational groups that may come into contact with body fluids of AIDS
patients in their work. The federal Centers for Disease Control is following
some 1,000 health care workers who have experienced blood-to~blood or
blood-to-mucous membrane exposure to the body fluids of AIDS patients; many of
these worker1 have had needlestick injuries while treating AIDS patients.
There have been four documented cases of hea.lth care workers (only one in the
U.S.) who developed antibodies to HIVas a result of accidental punctures.
These cases demonstrate the need for health car~ workers to strictly follow
safety guidelines when handling needles or other sharp instruments used 1n the
care of AIDS patie.nts.
AIDS Incidence
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38. How many cases of AIDS have occurred so far?
In the U.S., there have been more than 33,000 cases of AIDS reported to
the Centers for Disease Control over a six year period, with a steady increase
each year stnce the identification of the diseale in 1981. For an update of
reported AIDS cases nationally, contact the Centers for Disease Control at
(404) 329-3472.
39. Wbat 11 th. g.ograpblc distribution of reported AIDS cases?
Th1rty-on. p.rcent of the cases in the U.S. are reported from New York
State and about 23 p.rcent from California. AIDS cases have been reported
from 50 states, tb. District of Columbia. Puerto Rico and more than 35 other
countries.
40. How ",nx New York residents hav,! developed AIDS?
More than 10,000 New Yorkers had been diagnosed with AlOSas of
March 23, 1987. Nearly 87% of these cases have been reported from New York
City. For up-to-date information on AIDS cases in New York, call the New York
State AIDS Hotline at 1-800-541 -AtOS.
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